Grid-like guided user interface for video selection and display

Abstract

A UI including a “Guide,” presenting a list of videos, having data fields relating to each entry, possibly including multiple data values for a single data field. When focusing on a single entry, the focused-upon entry is expanded and emphasized. The focused-upon entry is highlighted and centered, while other entries have lesser highlighting and centering. When a data field is selected, the focused-upon data field is emphasized (by highlighting, repositioning, or resizing), while other entries have lesser emphasis. Display changes might appear after a brief delay, or in response to further user command. When entries are sorted on selected data fields, entries with multiple data values for those fields are replicated, and the sorting letter is highlighted. The user can move individually down the list of entries, or skip to the next section with a different data value for a selected field.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 653,086, entitled: Grid-Like Guided User Interface for Video Selection and Display, by Shawn R. Neely, et al., attorney docket number 217.1017.03, filed Jan. 12, 2007, which is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 418,949 filed Apr. 18, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part application of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 418,739 filed Apr. 18, 2003.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates to user interfaces for video selection and display. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] In systems for presenting information, such as for example audiovisual media, there are now so many possible choices that individuals find it difficult to remember them all. Accordingly, such systems generally involve a UI (user interface) by which users might search for possible choices, with the effect tha...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] In those cases when the user focuses on a single such entry (that is, a selected particular row), the Guide provides either that (a) additional information appears after a brief delay, such as a time interval that would be physiologically or psychologically natural or pleasing, with the effect that the user perceives the rearrangement of the OSD in response to the selection of focus, or (b) additional information appears in response to a further user command, such as an explicit button press or mouse click, with the effect that the user perceives the rearrangement of the OSD in response to the explicit button press or mouse click. In the former case, the Guide provides a more automated-like response to user action, while in the latter case, the Guide provides a more command-like response to user action.

[0015] Similarly, in those cases when the user focuses on a single such data field (tha

Problems solved by technology

In systems for presenting information, such as for example audiovisual media, there are now so many possible choices that individuals find it difficult to remember them all.

However, while they achieve the general goal of allowing users to search and select, known systems are subject to several drawbacks.

First, there are often such a large number of entries or titles that presenting even a small fraction of them for review by users, such as on an OSD (on screen display), or a video screen or similar interface, is unwieldy.

Some known systems allow users to scroll forward and backward through a relatively long list of entries, but one result of such scrolling is that the user is continually presente

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